In addition to exerting its high-quality fiber function in the field of clothing, silk with protein as the main component has also developed various new functional materials through various chemical or physical treatment methods, expanding the new uses of silk.
1. Medical field
Silk fibroin and sericin, which constitute silk components, are treated with concentrated sulfuric acid to obtain the same substance as heparin, which has anticoagulant activity and delays blood coagulation time, and can be used to develop blood test equipment and antithrombotic materials. . By changing some processing conditions in the same way, the spun silk rich in water absorption and water retention properties can be processed into advanced water-based materials or other physiological health care products. In addition, the silk silk is processed by polymer chemical synthesis, and calcium or phosphorus is aggregated with the silk silk to develop a "bone-setting material" for orthopaedic treatment. After the same chemical treatment, artificial muscles or artificial ligaments can also be developed. The silk fibroin film made of spun silk can also be made into a wound protective film for treating burns or other skin injuries.
2. Industrial field
In addition to being used as additives for cosmetics or health food, silk powder processed into particles can also be made into silk powder-containing silk paper or packaging materials for food preservation and silk materials with antibacterial properties. In addition to processing contact lenses, silk fibroin film can also be mixed with resin as fine as 0.3μm to develop a new product called "silk leather". The high-grade paint made by adding silk powder into some paints is used to spray furniture, which can increase the appearance of the utensils and the effect of good touch, and is widely used in various interior decorations.
3. Natural silk fabric mask, leading the new trend of beauty
The structure of natural silk is very similar to human skin, so it is also known as the "second skin" of the human body. Silk beauty has a long history in my country. As early as the Ming Dynasty, silk was used by imperial concubines for daily beauty and health care because of its important medicinal value. According to "Compendium of Materia Medica": silk protein powder can eliminate skin dark spots and treat purulent dermatitis. Modern medical experiments have further proved that the protein content of silk is much higher than that of pearls, the nitrogen content of which is 37 times higher than that of pearls, and the content of main amino acids is more than 10 times higher. These amino acids can be directly absorbed and adsorbed by human hair and skin. That is, it is easier to penetrate the outer layer of the human epidermis and accelerate the metabolism of the skin. Silk amino acids can also effectively inhibit the production of melanin in the skin. Since 2000, in the advocacy of the green revolution of returning to nature and returning to nature, silk has been more and more concerned and sought after by people. From expensive silk quilts to silk pillows, silk underwear, to silk medical sutures in the medical field, silk protein artificial skin, etc., the role of silk is growing. Nowadays, the beauty industry has set off a wave of silk beauty. Silk fibroin cosmetics developed with silk as raw materials have become the first choice of skin care for countless beauty-loving women.
